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We are currently living in a capitalist society where money and power rule. Therefore, many of us have become workaholics and often overlook signs of tiredness in order to stay on track. I am not saying that people should stop working hard to achieve their goals. However, there is a slight problem we do not know how to manage our stress, which is definitely not a good thing! stress has been linked to mental/emotional (depression, anxiety, and anger) and physical illnesses (weakens the immune system). Therefore, it is more than important that you constantly work on reducing your stress level in order to maintain your overall health. The bottom line is, if we are not healthy there is no money or power that will make things better. So, take care of yourself. Below, I have added six stress releasing tips.

exercise: even if you go for a walk for 15-25 minutes four days a week it will help your body to get rid of adrenaline and produce endorphins (a natural tranquilizer). not to mention you will not only feel better, you will also look the part.

yoga: Many ramble that practicing yoga is the best way to manage or release stress. It focuses on breathing techniques, exercises, connecting with the universe on a spiritual and mental level. If this option seems interesting to you I suggest you do some research in order to learn the principles and decide if it is for you.

Stretch: People often stretch before and after a workout. However, learning stretching and flexing exercises to use as a way to relieve tension on many different areas of the body can help a great deal.

massage: We all know how massages can help us relax and release tension. prices start around $40 for 30 minutes; it all depends on what extra relaxation techniques you would like to add to the massage such as aromatherapy, oils, etc. There are also different types of massages so this will also affect the price. I actually found a therapist that charges $33 for a 30 minute session. It sounds pretty good to me. We waste money in so many different ways so investing on a massage once in a while will not kill our pockets.

Laugh it off: Rent a funny movie and laugh out loud. Go out with friends or host gatherings. Tell everyone to bring a platter. Remember the key is to release tension not, add to it. Use paper plates and plastic cups to reduce the amount of work.

Take a break- Take time to relax, sleep, and maybe even take a vacation if you can. Your body does not only need it; you deserve it.

Live stress free,

Kenia Morales

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Kenia Morales is the publisher of online magazine http://kpatra.com "For Every Aspect of Today's Woman. Visit her site to find a variety of women related issues and topics" click here http://www.kpatra.com/keniascolumn.htm to find Kenia's little piece of heaven her inspirational column

According to the New England journal of Medicine, Americans gain an average of one pound over the holidays. While it doesn’t seem like a lot of weight, that one pound can stay with you for good and add up over time.

The following are five tips to help you enjoy holiday treats, but without the weight gain:

1. Reserve your calories for the best. When you attend a holiday event, decide on one or two “unhealthier” choices that you will eat, making sure they are foods you really like. Keep your portions small. For example, a reasonable portion of cornbread dressing or macaroni and cheese is ½ cup, or the size of ½ orange.

2. Focus on the festivities, not the food. During your holiday dinners, focus on enjoying the atmosphere and the conversations around you. The point of the holidays is not to eat, but to enjoy fellowship with your friends and loved ones.

3. Put leftovers away immediately. If you are hosting a holiday event, store leftovers immediately after everyone is served. Often, we overeat just because the food is there. By putting the food away, you minimize this temptation.

4. Make healthier substitutions when you can. Substitute some of the unhealthier ingredients in your favorite recipes with healthier ones. According to Chris Rosenbloom, a nutrition instructor at georgia State university, the following are some substitutions you can make:

Whole milk: Use either 1 percent, 2 percent, or skim milk.

Cream cheese: Use light or fat-free cream.

egg yolk: Use one egg white or liquid egg substitute.

Oil for baking: Use applesauce (yellow cake recipes) or baby food prunes (chocolate recipes) equal to amount of oil called for in the recipe.

Sugar: reduce to 3/4 cup sugar if the recipe calls for 1 cup of sugar.

5. Kick up the action a notch.

Focus on increasing your physical activity during the holidays to burn up any extra calories you have eaten. For example, take a 15 minute walk after dinner, play with your children, or perform some situps or jumping jacks during television commercials.

A Registered Nurse for many years, Kimberly Floyd battled obesity for much of her adult life. She achieve her ideal weight and has written a new book entitled 'Moneywise Weight Loss' which teaches others how to lose weight and save money--at the same time.

Kim has written articles for the georgia Nurses Association publication and nursing Spectrum online. now a technical writer, she has written training programs for corporate clients, including IBM, U.S. Bank, and Cingular.

Kim also teaches an online course called 'Goodbye to Shy'. This course is distributed to over 500 colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, and Australia through Thomson Learning. An accomplished speaker and trainer, she delivers presentations on health-related topics to enthusiastic audiences.